Prostate Inflammation and Abscessation in Dogs

Prostatitis and Prostatic Abscess in Dogs

An abscess of the prostate is evidenced by a pus filled sac that may lead to prostatitis, which is an inflammation of the prostate. This is often the result of a long-standing infection that has gone undetected. Prostatitis is divided into two phases: acute (early), and chronic (later, farther into the disease).

Acute prostatitis occurs with the sudden onset of a bacterial infection in the prostate. Occasionally, the abscess may rupture and its contents will spill into the abdominal cavity.

Chronic prostatitis occurs when a long-standing infection has gone undetected. Acute prostatitis may also lead to chronic prostatitis, with the initial symptoms being missed.

Causes

All male dogs are at risk for sustaining prostatitis; there are no breeds that are exempt of more prone than others. However, dogs between the ages of 7 to 11 years are at higher risk. Some of the risk factors for this condition are:

Bacteria moving up from the urinary passage to the prostate

Bacteria spreading to the prostate from other parts of the body

Bacteria spreading from a wound site to the prostate

Presence of functional testicles (hormonal)

Enlarged prostate

Medical history of administration of male hormone or female hormone

Faulty immune system

Diagnosis

You will need to give your veterinarian a thorough history of your dog's health and medical history, details of the onset of symptoms, and possible incidents that might have led to this condition. The history you provide may give your veterinarian clues as to the leading cause of the condition. Your veterinarian will perform a complete physical exam on your dog, including standard laboratory tests like a blood chemical profile, a complete blood count, an electrolyte panel, and a urinalysis. This is the only way to determine whether the organs are functioning properly, and to find factors such as bacterial infections, microscopic evidence of blood in the urine, or increased white blood cell counts, indicative of the body fighting an infection.

There may be blood in the urine. In dogs with prostatitis, they may bleed even when not urinating. Sometimes an affected dog will not urinate at all, or will show pain while urinating. Feces may also appear flat and/or the dog may be constipated.

During the physical exam, your veterinarian will insert a gloved finger into your dog's rectum to palpate the prostate gland. If your dog reacts painfully, and/or the prostate feels enlarged, biopsies will need to be taken for a histopathology, cytology and culture, and sensitivity testing.